Research Discipline/Bio
As doctoral student in the Anthropology and Education Program, my research explores meaning and the dancing body. I am concerned with the ways that embodied processes and site are impacted by the political economies or power dynamics within eras of colonialization, globalization, and virtual education. My dissertation ethnographically explores pedagogies and meaning associated with Afro Cuban Folkloric dance as it moves between religious ritual in 1960’s Cuba to public dance studios in current New York City. In order to get a sense of the impact that on-line learning has on educative practices that center the body and place, my research scope will eventually expand to the globalized market of virtual dance education platforms. After fifteen years teaching with the New York City Department of Education, my academic work is grounded by the ways ethnographic methods can support teachers and artists to identify, explore, and counter oppression via embodied and creative perspectives.
Educational Background
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. PhD; Education and Anthropology Expected May 2027
Research Interest: Embodied Learning and Anti-Oppression Pedagogy
City College of New York, New York, NY. MS Education; K-12 Certification in Theater, May 2010 Educational Theater Program
Clark University, Worcester, MA. BS; High Honors in Communications and Culture, May 1999 Minor in Theater and Spanish
Honors/Awards
Education and Anthropology Program Grant, Caroline Stokes Stipend for Doctorial Studies. Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 2022
Tony Bennet Foundation Arts Education Program, Four Year Partnership Grant. Exploring the Arts, New York, NY 2015
Ford Foundation Grant for The Creative Justice Approach Center for Puerto Rican Studies/El Puente Brooklyn, NY 2008
Creative Work Fund for Choreographic Collaboration. Dream Dance Company, San Francisco, CA. 2005
Publications/Exhibitions
Dobos-Czarnocha, A. (2024, November) Embodied Knowledge in Globalized Afro Cuban Folklore. American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting, Tampa Fl.
Dobos-Czarnocha, A. (2023, October) Chachalokefun and Internalizing the Repeating Island. Teachers College Conference on Education and Anthropology, New York, NY.
Dobos-Czarnocha, A & Tehrani, K. (2019, August) Facilitator Training. American Association of Theater Educators. New York, NY
Dobos-Czarnocha, A. (2010, 2008) Theater and Integrated Arts: Peer Assessments. The American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, New York, NY The First Annual Deborah Meyer Symposium, New York, NY
Dobos-Czarnocha, A & Calderon, H. (2008, October) Integrated Arts and Latino Youth: A Case Study at El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice.
Puerto Rican Scholars Association. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Dobos-Czarnocha, A. (2004, May) Narrative Authority of Refugee Youth SFSU Annual Symposium on Human Rights and Anthropology.
San Francisco, CA
Last Updated: Feb 15, 2025